A reason to be optimistic about 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead

Defensive end Arik Armstead’s potential is equally enticing as it’s been frustrating. The 49ers’ first-round pick in 2015, so far, hasn’t been an impact player on the defensive line, despite showing signs of becoming a potential building block.

That’s because he only played a third of the snaps as a rookie before last season ended after Week 8 when he opted for surgery on his injured shoulder. He suffered the injury the second weekend of training camp after looking like the best player on the field during practice.

But there’s a good reason to optimistic about Armstead heading into year three, after just 2.5 sacks in eight games in 2016 while playing through the injury:

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Armstead wound up with 24 pressures (hurries plus sacks) on 171 pass rushing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, giving him the scouting service’s top pass-rushing grade for the position.

His continued development would be a boon for San Francisco’s defense that ranked last in opponents’ yardage and scoring in 2016. He should become a key figure in the team’s transition to a 4-3 defense that utilizes 3-4 personnel.

Armstead figures to compete for a spot in Robert Saleh’s new base defense and should be a mainstay in sub packages, which are used about 70 percent of the time, pass rushing from the interior. San Francisco last season ranked 19th with 33 sacks and 28th in net yards passing per attempt.

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If Armstead was one of the best interior pass rushers last season while injured, the 49ers have to be excited about the idea of having him healthy with a better cast around him. And if he takes step in his development alongside DeForest Buckner, who looks noticeably bigger and stronger entering his second season, San Francisco’s front four might be better than many expect in 2017.